Marcus Chen
Stains that appear during or after painting or staining are called bleed-through. They can show up as various colours and patterns, and they can be challenging to refinish. The best way to prevent bleed-through is to use a stain-blocking primer before painting. Some recommended primers include Kilz Primer, Shellac, and Wise Owl. If you are painting with a light colour, it is recommended to use an oil-based sealer and primer.
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What You'll Learn
Use a stain-blocking primer
Stain-blocking primers are designed to provide more robust coverage and prevent stains from bleeding through newly applied layers of paint. They are especially useful when dealing with light stains like scuff marks, pencil or crayon marks.
When choosing a primer, it's important to assess the type of stain you're dealing with. If you're dealing with water stains, for example, you'll need a primer that contains stain-blockers to prevent the stain from bleeding through.
There are several effective stain-blocking primers available. Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 is a water-based primer that can be used to seal stains. Wise Owl also offers a water-based stain-eliminating primer. If you prefer an oil-based primer, KILZ is a popular option that has been shown to successfully block stains. Another option is to use a shellac-based primer like BIN, which is known for its powerful stain-blocking abilities. In some cases, you may need to apply multiple coats of the primer to effectively block the stain.
Before applying the primer, ensure that the surface is clean and free of dust. Wipe down the area with a damp cloth if needed and allow it to dry. Then, apply the primer using a brush or roller. Once the primer is dry, apply a small section of your topcoat paint to test for stain bleed-through. If the stain still bleeds through, apply a second coat of primer and test again before coating the entire area.
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Sand down the surface
Sanding down a surface is an important step in preparing it for painting. It helps to remove imperfections, such as rough spots, stains, or discolourations, and can also be used to roughen surfaces that are too glossy for paint to adhere properly. While not all surfaces will require sanding, it is a crucial step for ensuring that your paint job will be successful.
When sanding, it is important to use the correct type of sandpaper for the job. The coarseness of sandpaper is graded numerically, with higher numbers indicating smaller grains. For most sanding applications, you will want to use sandpaper with a grit between 100 and 220. Coarser paper, such as 60 or 80 grit, is more suitable for removing paint or finish, and can leave scratch patterns that show through the final coat of paint. Finer paper, such as 180 or 220 grit, can be used to smooth out the surface after using coarser paper, and to create a surface that the paint can adhere to.
It is also important to use the correct technique when sanding. Sand in a circular motion, smoothing out any edges or imperfections in the surface. Occasionally remove dust by vacuuming or striking the sandpaper on a hard surface, and replace the sandpaper when it becomes encrusted. Fold the sandpaper occasionally to expose a new sanding edge. After sanding, remove any remaining dust with a moist, lint-free rag, being careful not to leave behind any moisture that could cause wood to swell.
Once the surface has been sanded and cleaned, it is important to prime the surface before painting. This will help to create a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to and ensure a uniform finish. There are many different types of primers available, including water-based, oil-based, and shellac-based primers. The type of primer you use will depend on the specific project and the type of stains you are trying to cover.
By following these steps and properly sanding and preparing the surface, you can help ensure that your paint job will be successful and that any stains will be properly covered.
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Apply shellac
If you are dealing with bleed-through on a painting project, shellac is a great product to use to seal the stains. Shellac is particularly useful when dealing with raw wood, mahogany, heavily exposed grain, or wood that has absorbed smoke from the previous owner's cigarettes. It is also useful for covering up water stains, red-stained wood, or mahogany-coloured stains.
To apply shellac, you must first ensure that the surface is clean. If you have already applied wax, you will need to lift it using mineral spirits. Lightly moisten a rag and wipe the furniture from edge to edge, being careful not to drip on the floor. Then, apply one to two coats of dewaxed shellac or BIN shellac-based primer over the bleed-through. Let the coats dry completely—this should take around an hour, depending on temperature and humidity. Once dry, gently scuff sand with a maroon pad to create a tooth.
It is important to remember that you cannot "spot treat" with shellac. You must treat the entire section. For example, if there is a water mark on a table, you must shellac the whole table, not just the water mark. Similarly, if you are treating kitchen cabinet doors, you must shellac the whole door.
You can paint over shellac once it is dry. However, if you are planning to finish with wax and there is no current bleed-through, you may be able to simply wax the surface.
If you are dealing with a stubborn stain, you may need to apply multiple coats of shellac. One person reported having to apply five coats to get the stains sealed. If you are applying shellac with a roller, be sure to stir the product, rather than shaking it.
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Use a paint with a contrasting chemistry
Bleed-through is a common problem in painting, where stains appear during or after the painting process, and they won't go away no matter how many coats of paint are reapplied. This can be due to natural characteristics of wood grain, such as variations in colour, texture, grain pattern and oils (called tannins).
To prevent bleed-through, you can use a paint with a contrasting chemistry. For example, if you are using a water-based paint, an oil-based primer can be used to prevent stains from bleeding through. Latex paints, for instance, do a poor job of sealing stains, so an oil-based primer is needed to stop bleed-through. However, even with an oil/alkyd primer, tannin bleed can still occur. Shellac is a better option, as it has proven to block tannins from bleeding through and many painters have found that stains are much less likely to appear once they've painted over it.
There are a few options for shellac application. One option is to use a spray can, which is easy and quick, and dries clear. If you can't paint outside, a good alternative is General Finishes Stain Blocker, a water-based, high solid content stain-blocking primer. While it is expensive, it is very effective. Another option is to use a pigmented shellac like BIN, which can be applied over marker ink that bleeds through an oil-based primer.
If you are using a chalk-based paint, be aware that shellac may not always help the paint stick to all surfaces. In this case, it is recommended to use a water-based primer such as Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3, which will work in a similar way to shellac.
By using a paint with a contrasting chemistry, you can effectively prevent bleed-through and ensure that your paint job is not ruined by stubborn stains.
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Seal with an alcohol solvent
When dealing with bleed-through, it is important to remember that water-based sealers are not ideal. Water can cause bleed-through by activating dyes and tannins in the wood. Instead, an alcohol-based solvent should be used.
Sealants with an alcohol base include BIN and Kilz. These products are pigmented shellac solutions that are excellent at blocking bleed-through. When using shellac, it is important to note that it should be applied in opaque coats. The first coat draws out potential stains, while the second coat seals them. After applying the shellac, you should be able to paint over it once it is dry to the touch, which usually takes about an hour.
It is also possible to use an oil-based primer to stop bleed-through. Oil-based primers are especially useful for stopping the bleed-through of marker ink, which may bleed through an alcohol-based primer.
When working with alcohol-based solvents, it is important to wear a respirator as these products are toxic.
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Frequently asked questions
Bleed-through is when stains appear on a project during or after painting or staining. These stains can be of various colours and patterns and can show up as speckles or dots.
Bleed-through is caused by the tannins in the wood. The tannins and stains are oil-based, while most paints are water-based, and oil and water do not mix.
To prevent bleed-through, use a stain-blocking primer before painting. If you are painting in light colours, use an oil-based primer. You can also use shellac or a shellac-based primer.
You can use either a water-based primer or an oil-based primer. Some recommended primers include Kilz Primer, Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3, Wise Owl, and BIN.
If the bleed-through is still visible, apply another coat of primer. In some cases, you may need to apply up to 5 coats to prevent bleed-through completely.
